36ers ready to respond after being 'punched'

They may have only tasted defeat on five occasions during the Hungry Jack's NBL26 season, but the Adelaide 36ers believe each of those losses provides an opportunity for growth.

The league leaders' last fixture was one of those five occasions, losing on their home court to a reenergised Tasmania by eight points, and sharpshooter Dejan Vasiljevic revealed how the defeat has helped the group.

“Obviously we didn't play our best against Tasmania,” Vasiljevic said during a club interview.

“They came hammering through their best punch and obviously got the job done but we only lost by six points and we played not the best.

“We reviewed what we could do better defensively. I think that's what we struggled the most and then offensively, how do we move the ball and get Bryce [Cotton] and others more open looks, so we'll be ready to go this week and I look forward to the game in Perth against South East.

“Anything you do in life, a loss or, you know, something going on, can kind of help your group move in a positive way.

“The last couple days of practice, we've done that. We're popping the ball a lot more. We're interacting. We're trying to figure it out as players what to do.

“Obviously, Mike's our coach, but Mike [Wells] can't coach all the time because we as players have to figure it out with different counters and whatnot, so it's been a good week of practice for figuring things out.”

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The 36ers take on the Phoenix in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday.

“I think they're (South East Melbourne) up there as well with Sydney [in terms of form teams],” Vasiljevic said.

“The last two games they've scored 124 points. They're on a roll and they're coming off a loss so I know their coach is going to be amped up, getting ready to roll and yeah, they're just playing some real tough basketball."

The Phoenix will be without superstar Nathan Sobey, due to illness, but have multiple weapons ready to take it up to their more fancied opponents.

Sunday's Round 17 fixture tips off at 2.30pm AEDT (11.30am AWST), live on ESPN and Channel 10.